Iran violates nuclear deal for second time, receives warning from International Atomic Energy Agency

Iran overstocks heavy water for second time, will reportedly transfer heavy water to meet maximum allowance; US Senate expected to renew Iran Sanctions Act after strong vote in support from House of Representatives

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officially warned Iran against violating the nuclear agreement with world powers Thursday. Iran has reportedly stockpiled more heavy water than permitted under the nuclear deal.

According to the IAEA, Iran exceeded the 130 metric-ton limit on heavy water for the second time, the first violation occurring in January.

Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, informed the agency of the violation, warning Iran to “maintain international confidence” and to strictly adhere to the terms of the nuclear deal. He stated Thursday “It is important that such situations should be avoided in future in order to maintain international confidence in the implementation of the JCPOA, which represents a clear gain for nuclear verification in Iran.”

He added that “The reason why I expressed this concern is the fact that the inventory of heavy water surpassed 130 tons for the second time.” Amano reported that Iran will “transfer a quantity of heavy water of out the country… Once it has been transferred, Iran’s stock of heavy water will be below 130 metric tons.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in January when the nuclear deal was implemented “World powers and the IAEA must closely monitor the activities at Iran’s nuclear sites and other sites to ensure it is not continuing to clandestinely develop nuclear weapons. Without an appropriate reaction to every violation, Iran will realize it can continue to develop nuclear weapons, destabilize the region and spread terror. Israel will continue to monitor Iran’s negative activities and will do all that is necessary to protect its security and defend itself.”

The violation comes as the United States Senate is expected to vote to renew sanctions on Iran for an additional decade. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act that will expire after 2016. The vote is a move to renew the Iran Sanctions Act for an additional decade.